Results from the study showed a way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach, according to researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University.
The study, carried out by the university on behalf of the charity Men’s Health Forum, showed that men’s eating habits changed after marrying.
More buns, cakes and pastries
Married men were fatter than single men after tying the knot and were more likely to treat themselves to more buns, cakes, pastries and pies than single men, said the study.
Researchers also found that married men were likely to drink “significantly” more wine than single men.
Although there was no scientific reason why married men were more likely to be overweight, one theory was they were more relaxed after their wedding.
A second theory suggested men who married a good cook would consume richer foods than they did whilst single.
Startlingly, another claim was that some wives would over-feed their husbands so that they didn’t look as attractive to other women.
‘Very serious problem’
Men’s Health Forum said in a statement on its website: “Obesity is a very serious problem for both men and woman.
“The latest figures show men are more likely to be overweight or obese than women and boys are more likely to be overweight or obese than girls,” it added.
“This research shows that, on average, men eat differently and have a different diet from women – and that there is some difference in the foods that are associated with extra weight between men and women.”
Although married men were more likely to be overweight compared to single men, the study also showed they ate more fruit and wholemeal bread than single men. The study also suggested married men were more likely to eat fewer fatty takeaways, such as burgers, kebabs and pizzas.
Meanwhile, recent figures from the Lancet’s Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 showed that 2.1bn people were now overweight – more than a quarter of the world’s population.
The figures had almost doubled on the World Health Organisation’s figures from 2008, which showed 1.4bn adults were overweight.
The Food Manufacture Group held a free one-hour webinar on obesity last month, click here to listen to the webinar.